For Immediate Release: September 24, 2007

Contact: Jean Campbell (217) 544-6464, ext. 44307

Kohl’s, St. John’s team up to bring asthma education to kids, parents

Springfield, IL, September 24, 2007 — Representatives from Kohl’s Department Stores today presented a check for $55,504 to St. John’s Children’s Hospital to fund “Huff and Puff®” asthma education programs for children as well as adults who care for children with asthma. The check presentation took place at St. Patrick’s School where a group of kindergarten students were the first to view an asthma educational DVD featuring muppet-like characters named Huff and Puff.

Over the next year, St. John’s Children’s Hospital will facilitate the presentation of the Huff and Puff® Go To School Program to students in kindergarten through third grade at 30 public and parochial schools in central Illinois. The program teaches children about asthma and breathing for health. There is also a strong anti-smoking message. In addition to viewing the Huff and Puff DVD, children will receive educational handouts and bookmarks.

A second program, Huff and Puff®: The Children’s Asthma Program, will be offered to parents and their children who suffer from asthma. St. John’s outreach facilitators based in communities throughout central Illinois will offer the three-week program, which is designed to help families recognize and manage the symptoms of asthma. The goal is to improve children’s medical outcomes and ultimately save on medical costs. Parents will receive a workbook and CD for home use.

St. John’s Children’s Hospital is partnering with Creative Health Concepts, Inc. to launch the Huff and Puff programs. In total, an estimated 13,000 children and their families – approximately 50,000 people – will benefit from the programs.

According to the American Lung Association, asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood.

In 2004, an estimated 4 million children under 18 years old had an asthma attack in the past 12 months, and many others had "hidden" or undiagnosed asthma. Asthma is the most common cause of school absenteeism due to chronic disease and accounted for an estimated 14 million lost school days. Even though asthma cannot be cured, it can almost always be controlled.

“The prevalence of childhood asthma has increased significantly over the past 10 years, but we’ve also seen great progress in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma,” said Jeff Lehman, MD, who specializes in pediatric allergy and immunology.  “The key to successfully managing a child’s asthma is education. Both parents and children need to learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of asthma, as well as which specific factors, such as weather, allergies or exercise, tend to trigger the child’s asthma. Understanding the child’s treatment plan and medication regimen is also very important to controlling asthma.”

 Since 2001, Kohl’s has donated more than $623,300 to St. John’s Children’s Hospital. Other St. John’s Children’s Hospital initiatives supported through Kohl’s Cares for Kids® include “Risk Watch,” a children’s injury prevention and safety program; preoperative tours for kids scheduled for surgery; educational materials and special equipment for pediatric patients and families; and kid-friendly enhancements to pediatric surgical areas.

“Kohl’s has been an incredibly generous supporter of St. John’s Children’s Hospital,” said St. John’s Associate Administrator John Short, who accepted the check. “Their involvement in various programs has had a lasting impact on the health and well-being of children and families throughout central Illinois.”

Kohl’s commitment to St. John’s Children’s Hospital is made possible through Kohl’s Cares for Kids.  Net profits from the sale of special merchandise supports children’s health and education; through 2006, Kohl’s has raised more than $85 million for such initiatives nationwide. The program also includes the Kohl’s Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program for youth volunteers, fundraising gift cards for local schools and nonprofit groups, and an associate program to encourage volunteerism.